NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace got some advice from a sports legend as he continues fighting for a spot in the playoffs. None other than six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan sent him a text.
Wallace, who joined Dirty Mo Media to discuss the playoff situation, revealed a message of encouragement he received recently from Jordan.
“I had [Jordan] text me and he said, ‘Things you want more cost more,’” he said. “All day yesterday and all day, in the middle of the night, I’m telling myself you’ve just got to go out there and have the best race you’ve ever had of your life.”
“It’s just showing up, me doing all that I can. Take out the outside factors. That’s how I’m approaching it. I woke up in a much better mood this morning.”
Wallace is certainly, as Jordan suggests, going to have to fight if he wants a spot in the playoffs.
Bubba Wallace On The Outside Looking In
Bubba Wallace’s playoff aspirations took a hit when Harrison Burton won the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona this past weekend.
If a driver who had already won this year captured that race, Wallace likely would have been in a much better position. Instead, he finds himself on the outside looking in.
Wallace sits 21 points behind RFK Racing’s Chris Buescher, who holds the final position. Which is frustrating, because Bubba has been a much-improved driver in 2024.
He is now faced with two scenarios to get himself into the postseason – win outright at the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington on Saturday, or outpoint Buescher AND have no new winners like the last race.
Challenge accepted, according to Wallace.
“Taking a deep breath, understanding where we’re at. We’re not out of it by any means. If you outrun the guys you’re racing then you should beat them,” he said.
“But we have to do a little bit of extra work and I’m excited to roll the sleeves up and do that.”
RELATED: Bubba Wallace Refuses To Shake Hands After Losing Race – ‘Not Now…’
A Much Better Mood
It’s good to hear Bubba Wallace focusing on positives and discussing his “much better” mood, as he has spent several years being a polarizing figure in NASCAR due to his controversial stories in the past.
Just last month he admitted to feeling “miserable” at the track for years due to personal and professional struggles.
Wallace has been public with his bouts of depression and anxiety, according to the Associated Press, who says he “hasn’t been a beacon of joy at the track” since his last victory some time ago.
Winning, as they say, is the great elixir. And if he can win at Darlington and get himself back into the playoffs, he’ll be riding pretty high.
Does he want it enough to pay the price?
More about:Motorsports
Read This Next
